The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran | January—February 2018 1

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran The Official Publication of the Department of Maryland Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

vfwmd.org January-February 2018 Volume 41—No.4

scription dues program. Jackets will be awarded at the Convention. Keep on top of your programs and keep recruiting. I would love to be giving out 50 or more jackets. Thanks for all you do to support my motto of: Yours in Comradeship,

Bill Miller State Commander

Comrades, Sisters and Brothers, My Wife Penny and I wish you and yours a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2018. We sincerely hope your Holiday met all of your expectations. It’s difficult to grasp that my tenure as your State Commander is half over. Mem-bership as of December 17, 2017, this writ-ing, is at 88.08 % with 2,504 members to pay (slightly ahead of where we were last year at the same time). We have time to work on this, but we have to really work at obtaining my state goal of 95% for Febru-ary 28th 2018. We only have four (4) posts that have reached 100%, and there are 6 posts needing 5 or less….3 of which only need 1. Use the State sponsored 1 Year Look See Program or the 50/50 Life Pro-gram to get those new members, and work your 30, 60, and 90 day lists to keep those already on board.. Early in the year it was stated that to qualify for a 100% jacket, 100% membership had to be ob-tained by February 28, 2017 due to the sub-

vfwmd.org

The Official Publication of the Department of Maryland Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

vfwmd.org

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran The Official Publication of the Department of Maryland Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

vfwmd.org

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran The Official Publication of the Department of Maryland Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

vfwmd.org

William Miller, Commander Dept. of MD Veterans of Foreign Wars

“Giving Star-Spangled Veterans Service Daily”

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran | January—February 2018 2

“Giving Star-Spangled Veterans Service Daily”

Comrades, Hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Sure glad we are done with 2017. This past year I have learned a lot and I am very proud of all our fellow Officers and members for a job well done. We are not where we want to be just yet but we are ac-

complishing our mission. I do appreciate all the help and support I have received. These lessons were well learned. I have not visited all the Posts as of yet, but I shall. I would also like to thank the Auxiliary for helping us succeed in working together for the good of the VFW. Together there is nothing we can't accomplish. This month we are gearing up for our VOD, Patriot's Pen, Teacher, Paramedic and Policeman contests. I recognize the effort and time spent by each Post in ob-taining our contestants . These contests bring awareness of what the VFW gives back to the Communities. But it doesn't stop there. There are scholarships as well as educational programs available for our Veterans to further their education in help-ing them become more productive mem-bers of our Society. There is also a great

Comrades, Now is the time to prepare for the in-clement winter weather. The tem-perature will drop-ping. Snow will start to fall, causing wet and icy condi-tions. Prepare now how you will clear your sidewalks. We still need to work on getting our re-porting in to the De-

partment. We are failing to report many of the things we do for our veterans and local communities. Please report all that you do, even if you think it is not reportable. Let the Department determine if you should receive the cred you deserve. We all must strive to attain 100% in reporting. Remember our fellow veterans who are in the hospital and nursing facilities. Get out and visit with them. Let them know we care about them. It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as your surgeon. I will be running for this office again, and I hope I can count on your support. A Happy and prosperous New Year to all! Yours in comradeship,

Frank Bennett

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran

STATE COMMANDER

William Miller

ADJUTANT

Douglas MacArthur

EDITOR

Jacquelyn Kimball

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran is

published six times per year — July—

August, September—October, Novem-

ber—December, January—February,

March—April and May—June by the De-

partment of Maryland, Veterans of For-

eign Wars of the United States, 101

North Gay Street, Room J, Baltimore, MD

21202, 410-752-6474

MDVFWCombatVet@comcast.net

Send all communications for publication

to MDVFWCombatVet@comcast.net.

Deadline for submissions is on the 20th,

during the months of June, August, Sep-

tember, December, February and April.

WEBSITE

www.vfwmd.org

J J Everett Jr. Vice Commander Dept. of MD VFW

See JVC, page 3

Frank Bennett Surgeon

Dept. of MD VFW

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran | January—February 2018 3

“Giving Star-Spangled Veterans Service Daily” have to be very diligent in keeping our Post and Community informed that this is not just a Veteran's issue. Respectfully,

J J Everett State Sr. Vice Commander

JVC, from page 2 team of Service Officers to aid/assist Vet-erans in obtaining service benefits. Membership: There is a lot to be said about membership. Everyday we try to solicit new members informing them of the many benefits the VFW has to offer but we fall short in describing what we do. Anybody can be a card-carrying member but I think what is needed is to let these new members know that we are a work in progress. Volunteering is a needed re-source. In order for us to continue, we need Comrades who are willing to step up and be more active for the survival of the Post. Today I see a lot of Posts who have functions without the aid or assistance of its membership. True, we are losing mem-bers everyday due to age and health is-sues, therefore participation is so desper-ately needed from its members and its Auxiliary for the success of the Post. Just a reminder - the Department of Maryland is still offering the 50% life membership pro-gram. What a great tool! The support of National Home has been terrific. But we still need the support to keep this viable part of the VFW flourish-ing. What a great way to support our Vet-erans. families and children. Suicide Awareness - Know the five (5) signs. I was just informed that we are los-ing an average of 22 Veterans per day. We

In Memory of

Richard Saul Udoff February 15, 1932—November 7, 2017

Past State Commander

2007-2008

United States Air Force 1950-1954

World War II Veteran

Carrier Squadron, 317th Tactical

Command Wing, 41st Troop

Serving in Frankfurt and Munich Germany

It’s important to recognize when emo-tions reach a crisis point — especially when they bring on thoughts of sui-cide. If you know a Veteran or Service member in crisis, reach out. One act of compassion can save a life.

VeteransCrisisLine.net or

1.800.273.8255.

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran | January—February 2018 4

Auxiliary News

I can’t believe that half of the VFW year is behind us. By now all contestants for the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Con-tests have been sent on to each District for judging. I look forward to hearing from our future leaders at the Department Banquet for the contestants on January 28 in Feder-alsburg. Proudly walking with Department Commander Miller and our winning VOD contestant at the National contest in Wash-ington in February will really be quite an honor. Thank you to everyone for all of the warm hospitality that was shown to me and the rest of the line officers and chairmen as we made our District visits. The last of the vis-its was at District 4 on Nov 19th. One of the things that I kept hearing at the District visits was that the information from the monthly mailings was not being shared as much as it could be. Just because you are the one receiving the mailing doesn’t mean that you should be keeping that information to yourself. You are the messenger between the Department and your Auxiliary. Share with as many of your members as possible.

Karen Rooker. President

Many hands make the work lighter. I would hate to see some of you miss out on awards because the information needed never made it to those involved. Also, the SOI Books (be it printed, thumb drive or CD) are workbooks. They contain a ton of information that will give you the tools to make the programs work. They should not just be put on the shelf. Every-one that went to SOI should have received a book in some form. If you did not attend SOI, talk to one of your members that did. This information is to be shared. The infor-mation contained in it can answer many of your questions or at least point you in the right direction to find the answers you need. I am truly in awe of all the Auxiliary does for our Veterans. Having a good working relationship with the VFW makes us all a force to be reckoned with. Remember: All Are Needed To Succeed!

Karen D. Rooker 2017-2018 President VFW AUX Dept. of MD

The Maryland VFW Combat Veteran | January—February 2018 5

School of Instruction Dept. of MD VFW Auxiliary